v2.4.1.9
Stockholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
12 Months Ended 1 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Dec. 31, 2013
Dec. 31, 2012
Jan. 31, 2014
Jul. 31, 2014
Apr. 30, 2013
Oct. 26, 2009
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized 10,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized 10,000,000us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized          
Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share $ 0.001us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare $ 0.001us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare          
Common stock, shares authorized to repurchase (in shares)             8,000,000us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased
Remaining number of shares available to be repurchased 3,335,448us-gaap_StockRepurchaseProgramRemainingNumberOfSharesAuthorizedToBeRepurchased            
Common stock repurchases (in shares) 626,234us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired 688,128us-gaap_TreasuryStockSharesAcquired          
Payments for repurchase of common stock $ 29us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock $ 19us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock $ 13us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock        
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues   15us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues          
U.S. Medical Management [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired       68.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cnc_U.S.MedicalManagementMember
     
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions       4,486,434us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cnc_U.S.MedicalManagementMember
     
Community Health Solutions [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions         1,492,738us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cnc_CommunityHealthSolutionsMember
   
Acaria Health [Member]              
Class of Stock [Line Items]              
Business Acquisition, Percentage of Voting Interests Acquired           100.00%us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionPercentageOfVotingInterestsAcquired
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cnc_AcariaHealthMember
 
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions           3,433,380us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesAcquisitions
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cnc_AcariaHealthMember
 
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues           685,280us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodSharesNewIssues
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cnc_AcariaHealthMember
 
Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues           $ 15us-gaap_StockIssuedDuringPeriodValueNewIssues
/ us-gaap_BusinessAcquisitionAxis
= cnc_AcariaHealthMember